Beverage maker

ABSTRACT

A device for dispensing individual servings of a cold beverage, either having a refrigeration unit to chill the beverage or a removable pitcher that may be put in a refrigerator. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. A dispensing mechanism puts pressure on the cartridge or the pouch to break the pressure rupturable seal or diaphragm to discharge the concentrate into a mixing structure. The mixing structure also receives chilled liquid from the refrigeration unit or the pitcher, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/604,825filed on Sep. 6, 2012 claiming priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationsNo. 61/532,692, filed on Sep. 9, 2011, and 61/581,722, filed on Dec. 30,2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a single serve beverage maker and dispenser,including the disposable beverage containers and removable water pitcherused therein. More particularly, the current invention relates to adevice for preparing, making and dispensing single servings of aselected beverage from an associated refrigerating device or a removablewater pitcher, wherein the beverage may or may not be carbonated, usinga disposable beverage pouch or cartridge that avoids flavorcontamination of the device by the beverage being dispensed, and mayprovide precise mixing ratios in order to dispense high qualitybeverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a single serve dispenser for cooled beveragesthat use individual disposable beverage pouches or cartridges and inwhich the dispensed beverage may, or may not, be carbonated.

Single serve dispensers for hot beverages are popular as they allowindividuals to quickly brew a fresh cup of their favorite flavored hotbeverage in a reasonably economic way.

Having a similar device for cold flavored beverages should be aspopular. There are, however, problems in producing cold beverages fromsingle serve cartridges, and currently, there are no single servecontainer/delivery systems for serving cold beverages.

A significant problem is serving temperature. While coffee is best madeat about 195 degrees Fahrenheit, even hot coffee is only drunk at about150 degrees Fahrenheit. The flavor of the coffee is, therefore, notdiminished when the boiling hot water at 212 degrees Fahrenheit iscooled significantly as it comes into contact with the contents of thedisposable beverage cartridge.

With cold drinks, a problem is that sodas and juices such as, but notlimited to, Coca-Cola™, Pepsi™, or Minute Made™ Orange juice, taste bestwhen consumed at a temperature of around 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit. Thistemperature is important both because warm drinks are less able tomaintain carbonation, and warm drinks melt more ice, diluting theoptimum syrup/water ratio. As the best refrigeration unit is only goingto maintain water at a temperature of about 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit,and the disposable beverage cartridge or pouch is at room temperature,i.e., 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the device has to be carefully constructedso that the single serve beverage is not dispensed at an unpleasantly—orat least, sub-optimal—warm temperature.

A second problem is the nature of the contents of the disposablebeverage pouch or cartridge. With hot drinks, the contents of the pouchor cartridge are typically granules or powders that are easily dissolvedinto the hot water, making the system essentially self cleaning. Withcold drinks, the contents of the pouch or cartridge are typicallyconcentrated, often sugary, syrups. These syrups can, if the device isnot carefully designed, re-coagulate and contaminate the dispensingelements. Not only may this reduce the efficiency of the process, but itmay lead to cross-contamination of the flavor of the beverage, spoilingthe user experience.

A third problem is the mix ratio, i.e., the ratio of the volumes ofwater to syrup or concentrate that must be combined for the optimumtaste experience. These ratios tend to be more exacting for coldbeverages because the resultant cold beverage is a combination of thetwo kinds of liquid, rather than an infusion of an ingredient into theprimary liquid as in a hot drink.

A fourth problem is dispensing time. With hot drinks dispensing time isusually 30 to 60 seconds, the water flows through the cartridge where itfuses with the dry ingredients, sits for a few seconds to steep, thenexists into the users cup. With a cold beverage, dispensing time shouldtake between 4 to 6 seconds, especially with carbonated beverages,because the CO₂ gas starts to leave the liquid as soon as it is mixedwhich will affect drink quality.

A fifth problem is the method of dispensing. With hot drinks the liquidflows through the cartridge or pouch and mixes inside a brewingcompartment where the ingredients fuse. With a cold beverage, especiallycarbonated ones, this method will cause excessive off-gassing of thecarbonated liquid when it mixes with the syrup/concentrate causing themixture to excessively bubble and foam which creates a mess and affectsthe quality of the drink. My cold beverage dispensing method isconstructed to avoid these issues.

The preferred method of dispensing a beverage according to the presentinvention is with a pouch, which is preferred over a beverage cartridge.A pouch is preferred for several reasons. Pouches generally have longershelf stability than cups or cartridges due to the impermeable materialthey are made from, foil vs. plastic. Pouches offer a better shippingand packaging footprint than their cartridge/cup counterparts. Storageand handling is much more efficient for a pouch since pouches can bedisplayed on racks for the retail countertop and refrigerator racks forthe consumer to hang the pouches on. The pouch offers the best method todispense the syrup contents in a metered way that lends itself to thepost mix dispensing technology disclosed herein.

It is these, and related, problems associated with dispensing smallquantities of cold beverages from a disposable beverage container thatour inventive disposable beverage pouch or cartridge and dispensingdevice address.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The relevant prior art involving single serving beverage dispensersincludes:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,555 granted to Scheer, et al. on Feb. 6, 2001entitled “Apparatus and methods for brewing and dispensing beverages”that describes a brewing machine that freshly brews a single-serving ofcoffee or tea to be served hot or cold. The machine preferably includesa housing assembly, with a window therein to permit the viewing of thebrewing of a fresh serving of coffee or tea, a water supply, a drycoffee or tea storage area, a brewer, and a flavor additive storagearea. The coffee or tea is preferably brewed in a condensed form whichbecomes diluted to drinking strength by the addition of hot or coolwater, and/or by the addition of hot or cool flavorings. The cool drinkcan subsequently be served over ice to provide a cold serving of icedcoffee or tea. Mixing the various ingredients to obtain the final cup ofcoffee or tea preferably occurs in the user's cup. Preferred methods ofmaking a freshly brewed single-serving of coffee or tea are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,352 granted to Sher, et al. on Feb. 16, 2010entitled “Method and system for in-cup dispensing, mixing and foaminghot and cold beverages from liquid concentrates” that describes a liquidfood dispensing device (1) for dispensing hot or cold beverages or otherliquid foods without using any mixing or whipping chambers comprising atleast one liquid component source (30, 31) and a diligent source (18), adelivery device and at least one diligent nozzle and one food componentnozzle wherein the delivery device and diligent and food componentnozzles are configured for ejecting at least one stream (6 a, 6 b) ofdiligent at a predetermined spatial configuration inside a container(10) and within a velocity range effective to create turbulence and mixthe food component so to produce the food product such as the hot orcold beverage.

US Patent Application 20110020508 by Santoiemmo; Carl published on Jan.27, 2011 entitled “Select Serving and Flavored Sparkling Beverage Maker”that describes a method and a device to make a single or a multiplerepeated single servings of a select flavored, carbonated beverage.

US Patent Application 20100003386 by Cheng; Pu-Sheng et al, published onJan. 7, 2010 entitled “System, Method and Compositions for Dispensing aLiquid Beverage Concentrate” that describes a beverage system forproviding a beverage, methods of making the beverage and the resultingbeverage are disclosed herein. The system includes a beverage-formingconcentrate and an aroma or aroma-providing component separated from theconcentrate; wherein the concentrate and aroma are combinable uponreconstitution for providing the beverage. One method includesdelivering a fresh beverage taste to an on-premise beverage at a pointof dispensation, by delivering at least one aroma or aroma-providingcomponent in an amount sufficient to enhance the organoleptic propertiesof a beverage separately from a beverage concentrate prior to when thebeverage is dispensed, and mixing the aroma or aroma-providing compoundwith a liquid and the beverage concentrate or with a mixture of abeverage concentrate and a liquid when the beverage is being dispensed.The resulting beverage may be coffee, tea, carbonation, a juice, milk,or a non-dairy creamer-based component; or a combination thereof, whilethe aroma or aroma-providing component is coffee aroma, tea aroma,chocolate or cocoa aroma, malt, Maillard reaction flavor, or acombination thereof.

Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of theproblems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment ofthis invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will bedescribed in more detail herein below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing device fordispensing individual servings of a cold beverage which may or may notbe carbonated. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispensing devicemay have a liquid container that is fluidly connected to a liquidrefrigeration unit or a removable container that may be put into arefrigerator. The beverage dispensing device may also include a beveragecartridge or pouch holder. The beverage dispensing device may bedesigned such that a beverage dispensing pouch or a beverage dispensingcartridge may be fitted into the holder.

In an embodiment, a disposable beverage dispensing cartridge may have abody that is substantially impermeable to light and to liquids at roomtemperature. The impermeable, cylindrical body may have an open top endand a closed lower end. The beverage dispensing cartridge preferablyalso contains an upper and a lower piston, both sized and shaped to be asliding, sealing, pressure fit to an inside of the impermeable body. Thelower piston may also have a spout protruding from its lower surface.The spout may have an open lower end that is in fluid connection with anupper surface of the lower piston. The lower end of the spout may alsobe covered by, contained within, or attached to, a pressure rupturablediaphragm that may be shaped to have a base and a funnel likeattachment. The lower end of the spout may act as a self-piecing nozzleof the pressure rupturable diaphragm, and of the base of the cartridge.

Pre-measured amount of beverage concentrate may be contained in thebeverage dispensing cartridge, disposed between the upper and lowerpistons in a substantially hermetically sealed environment. In such anenvironment, beverage concentrates may have a self life of up to twelvemonths, even without refrigeration.

In an embodiment with the cartridge, a concentrate dispensing mechanismmay operate to move the upper piston downwards towards the lower piston.In doing so the liquid outlet of the lower piston, acting as a selfpiercing nozzle, breaks the pressure rupturable diaphragm and the baseof the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge. The concentrate contained inthe impermeable, cylindrical cartridge may then be discharged throughthe liquid outlet into a mixing nozzle structure.

In another embodiment, a beverage dispensing pouch comprises a pouchvoid enclosed in an impermeable seal that is substantially impermeableto liquids at room temperature. The pouch void has an open lower endwhile the beverage dispensing pouch further comprises a pouch fitmentsealing the open lower end of the pouch void. The pouch fitment has aninterior, an interior wall, an upper opening, and a lower opening andcomprises a snap-in ring attached to the upper opening, the snap-in ringhaving a snap-in ring opening; a first pressure rupturable diaphragmsealing the snap-in ring opening; a pouch fitment sealing the loweropening of the pouch. In addition, the pouch fitment further comprises aplunger having a top aperture, a plunger piston, and a liquid outlet;and a second pressure rupturable diaphragm sealing the top aperture ofthe plunger. While the plunger resides in the interior of the pouchfitment, the liquid outlet is above the pouch fitment, the top apertureof the plunger is below the upper opening of the pouch fitment, theplunger piston stays abut the interior wall of the pouch fitment,forming a slidable seal.

Similarly to the beverage dispensing cartridge, a pre-measured amount ofbeverage concentrate may be contained in the beverage dispensing pouch,stored in the pouch void in a substantially hermetically sealedenvironment. In such an environment, beverage concentrates may have ashelf life of up to twelve months, even without refrigeration.

When pressure is applied to the pouch void, it is partially transmittedto push against the pouch fitment. When the pressure increases, thefirst pressure rupturable diaphragm ruptures, then the plunger is pusheddownward so that the liquid outlet pierces the sanitary foil cover, andthe second pressure rupturable diaphragm ruptures to allow the beverageconcentrate in the pouch void to flow from the liquid outlet into amixing nozzle structure.

A mixing nozzle structure may be fluidly connected to the liquidcontainer so that a predetermined amount of liquid may also flow intothe mixing nozzle structure as the beverage concentrate is being ejectedinto the mixing nozzle structure from the beverage dispensing pouch orthe beverage dispensing cartridge. The mixing nozzle structure may besized and shaped such that the concentrate being dispensed mixes withthe liquid flowing into the mixing nozzle structure, but does notcontact the walls of the mixing nozzle structure during the mixingprocess. The mixing preferably occurs outside and beneath the mixingnozzle structure, essentially in mid-air between the mixing nozzlestructure and a beverage container. This type of mixing in the air issometimes referred to as “post-mixing”.

Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following,and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use,single serve dispenser for cold beverages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device thatprovides exact, predetermined mixing ratios of water and concentrate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a single serve,cold beverage dispenser in which the end product may, or may not, becarbonated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a singleserve, cold beverage dispenser that requires a minimum of maintenance.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a singleserve, cold beverage container that keeps the beverage concentratesfresh for an extended period of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a beveragedispensing device with a pouch fitment.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cartridgeor pouch for use in containing and dispensing a measured quantity ofconcentrate or syrup.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide acartridge or pouch for metering the discharge of contents over apredetermined period of time.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge or pouchthat can withstand normal pressures occurred during shipping andhandling which resists accidental rupturing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beveragedispensing container with rupturable diaphragms that control the flow ofliquid.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beveragedispensing device that combines rupturable diaphragms and a pouchfitment to further control the flow of liquid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an economic, easy tomanufacture, easy to change, disposable pouch or cartridge for creatingand dispensing cold beverages.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reliable method ofproducing exact mixing ratios of soda water and concentrates as measuredby Brix standards set by beverage and concentrate purveyors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the singleserve beverage dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an X-ray view of another preferred embodiment of the singleserve beverage dispenser of the present invention while a beveragedispensing cartridge is used.

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage cartridge of the present inventionprior to use.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage cartridge of the present inventionafter use.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a singleserve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention prior touse.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a singleserve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention after use.

FIG. 7A shows a front cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage pouch of the present invention prior touse.

FIG. 7B shows a partial side view and partial side cross section view,of a preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouch ofthe present invention prior to use.

FIG. 7C shows a cross-section exploded view of a first preferred pouchfitment prior to use.

FIG. 7D shows a side cross section view of the first preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use.

FIG. 7E shows a cross-section exploded view of a second preferred pouchfitment prior to use.

FIG. 7F shows a side cross section view of a second preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use.

FIG. 7G shows a cross-section exploded view of a third preferred pouchfitment prior to use.

FIG. 7H shows a side cross section view of the third preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use.

FIG. 8A shows a front cross-section view of another preferred embodimentof a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a fourth preferredpouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 8B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a fourth preferred pouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 8C shows a side exploded cross-sectional view of the fourthpreferred pouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 8D shows a top view of a outflow valve having a “+” shaped outlet.

FIGS. 8E, 8F, and 8G show a side cross section view of the fourthpreferred pouch fitment prior to, during, and after use.

FIG. 9A shows a front cross-section view of another preferred embodimentof a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a fifth preferredpouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 9B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a fifth preferred pouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 9C shows a side exploded cross-section view of the fifth preferredpouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 9D shows a side cross section view of the fifth preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use.

FIG. 10A shows a front cross-section view of yet another preferredembodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a sixthpreferred pouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 10B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a sixth preferred pouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 10C shows a side exploded cross-section view of the sixth preferredpouch fitment prior to use.

FIG. 10D shows a side cross section view of the sixth preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use.

FIG. 11 A-C show, in a side view, the pouch being pressed by rollers andthe liquid being released from the beverage dispensing pouch.

FIG. 12 A-C show another preferred embodiment of the beverage dispensingpouch wherein the pouch is sealed with a pressure rupturable seal and atear-off pouch tip. FIGS. 12A and 12B are front sectional views. FIG.12C is a side view.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a mixingnozzle structure and a single serve disposable beverage cartridge of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of amixing nozzle structure of the present invention during use.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a first preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a secondpreferred embodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a third preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a fourthpreferred embodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a fifth preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the singleserve beverage dispenser having a main unit and a removable waterpitcher.

FIG. 21A shows a perspective view of a dispensing head compartment whenthe head compartment drawer is closed.

FIG. 21B shows a perspective view of a dispensing head compartment whenthe head compartment drawer is opened and a beverage pouch is inserted.

FIG. 21C shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment when the head compartment drawer is opened.

FIG. 21D shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment when the head compartment drawer is closedbut before the rollers engage the pouch.

FIG. 22A shows a perspective view of a dispensing pouch and a pouchfitment.

FIG. 22B shows a front view of a dispensing pouch and a front sectionalview of a pouch fitment.

FIG. 23A shows a perspective view of a pouch fitment.

FIG. 23B shows a front sectional view of the pouch fitment.

FIG. 23C shows a top view of a pouch fitment.

FIG. 23D shows a bottom view of a pouch fitment.

FIG. 23E shows a perspective view of the outflow valve.

FIG. 24A shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment when the rollers press the pouch.

FIG. 24B shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment when the rollers finish a pouch-pressingprocess.

FIG. 25A shows a perspective view of a pitcher that can be connected toa main unit of a beverage dispenser.

FIG. 25B shows a perspective view of a flipping inlet unit as part ofthe main unit of a beverage dispenser when the flipping inlet unit isflipped down.

FIG. 25C shows a perspective view of a flipping inlet unit as part ofthe main unit of a beverage dispenser when the flipping inlet unit isflipped up.

FIG. 25D shows a side sectional view of an outlet channel and a flippinginlet unit before the outlet channel and the inlet unit are engaged.

FIG. 25E shows a side sectional view of an outlet channel and a flippinginlet unit after the outlet channel and the inlet unit are engaged.

FIG. 26 shows a back view of the internal structures of the main unit ofthe beverage dispenser having a main unit and a removable water pitcher.

FIG. 27A shows a first perspective view of the internal structures ofthe main unit of the beverage dispenser.

FIG. 27B shows a second perspective view of the internal structures ofthe main unit of the beverage dispenser.

FIG. 27C shows a schematic diagram of the internal structures and theirconnections in the main unit.

FIG. 28A shows a prospective view of the beverage dispenser with a CO2cylinder replacement mechanism when the CO₂ cylinder gate is closed.

FIG. 28B shows a prospective view of the beverage dispenser with the CO2cylinder replacement mechanism when the CO₂ cylinder gate is open.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified, as far as possible, with the same referencenumerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of thepresent invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact,those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading thepresent specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating fromthe innovative concepts of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the singleserve, chilled beverage dispensing device 100 of the present invention.In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispensing device 100 may have aproduct shell 105 housing the functional components of the beveragedispensing device 100. FIG. 1 also shows a mixing nozzle structure 195that may be used to prepare the cold beverage, typically by mixing abeverage concentrate with chilled water, on its way to it being servedinto a beverage container 205.

FIG. 2 shows an “X-ray view” of a preferred embodiment of the singleserve cold beverage dispenser of the present invention, in which aspectsof the invention are displayed, though not all in their entirety or withfully functional connectivity. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that the elements of FIG. 2 show important componentsof the invention, but they are not intended to limit the invention tothe specific elements shown, the way they are connected or thefunctionality they contribute to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a liquid container 210 that is preferably filled withwater, connected via a liquid pump 245 to an insulated liquid container290. The insulated liquid container 290 may be cooled by a liquidrefrigeration unit 220 such as, but not limited to, a Peltier device, aconventional compression based refrigeration device or some combinationthereof. As described in more detail below, the liquid refrigerationunit 220 may also act as a recirculation device, extracting liquid fromthe insulated liquid container 290, cooling it, and then returning theliquid to the insulated liquid container 290.

The insulated liquid container 290 may then be connected via anoptionally selectable carbonation device 280 that may, for instance, beactivated by the CO2 cylinder 270. The liquid may then be transported tothe mixing nozzle structure 195. In this way the user may select to haveeither a carbonated or an un-carbonated beverage, and may, in certainembodiments, select a degree of carbonation of the drink delivered tothe beverage container 205, and a preferred temperature of the dispensedbeverage. Core ingredients of the beverage delivered to the beveragecontainer 205 may be determined by the contents of the disposablebeverage dispensing cartridge 110 that would typically be selected bythe user.

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the disposable beverage dispensing cartridge110 may have a substantially impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 witha top end that may be covered with an air tight, sealing diaphragm 135.In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the impermeable, cylindricalcartridge 120 may be closed. In an alternate embodiment, however, thebottom of the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 may be partiallyclosed bottom that may be temporarily sealed with a ruptureable foilcovering.

The top end may be sealed with a suitable metal or plastic foil thatforms an air tight, sealing diaphragm 135, or, in alternate embodiment,it may be sealed by an upper piston 160. The upper piston 160 ispreferably a sliding, pressure fit to the inside of the impermeable,cylindrical cartridge 120 and may also provide a hermetic or airtightseal.

The lower piston 170 may also be a sliding, pressure fit to the insideof the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 and may also provide anairtight seal. The sealing of the bottom of the impermeable, cylindricalcartridge 120 may also include a pressure rupturable diaphragm 150.

In a preferred embodiment, the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120may be made of a suitable material that is substantially impermeable toliquids at room temperature such as, but not limited to, a metal foil ora plastic such as, but not limited to, HDPE, TPE, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impactpolystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or paperboard coated with asuitable waterproof coating such as, but not limited to, polyethylene,or some combination thereof.

The impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 may also be made of arecyclable material such as, but not limited to, paperboard coated withsuitable water proofing such as, but not limited to, polyethylene. Sucha construction is well known in the milk carton industry.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a machine readable identification element 190.The machine readable identification element 190 may for instance be amachine readable printed label such as, but not limited to, a bar codeor a Quick Response (QR) code or it may be an electronically readablechip such as, but not limited to, an RFID tag. The machine readableidentification element 190 may be read by optics and/or electronics inthe beverage dispensing device 100 and used to adjust mixing of thedrink by making selections such as, but not limited to, the quantity ofwater to be added, whether or not to provide carbonated water, thedegree of carbonation and the temperature of the water being used to mixwith the concentrate or some combination thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, the beverage dispensing cartridge 110 is shown in a dispensedstate, i.e., the upper piston 160 has been forced down towards the lowerpiston 170 by a suitable dispensing initiator such as, but not limitedto, a mechanically controlled cylinder, an electrically or magneticallyoperated solenoid or a pneumatically operated cylinder, or somecombination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, as the upper piston 160 has been compresseddownward, the liquid outlet 180 has been impressed against the pressurerupturable diaphragm 150, and, acting as a self piercing nozzle,breaking it. The liquid outlet 180 may then have encountered and, oncemore acting as a self piercing nozzle, ruptured the base of theimpermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120. Having ruptured both the baseand the diaphragm 150 the liquid outlet 180 may then dispense thebeverage concentrate stored in the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge120 via the liquid outlet 180 into the mixing nozzle structure 195 (notshown in FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a singleserve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention prior touse.

In FIG. 5, the beverage concentrate 175 is shown contained in theimpermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 between the upper piston 160 andthe lower piston 170. The pistons may form air-tight, pressure sealswith the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120, and may have groves 310to facilitate the air-tight, sliding pressure sealing. In an alternateembodiment the grooves 310 may incorporate O-rings that may alsofacilitate a sliding but air-tight seal, though this option may be moreexpensive to manufacture.

The lower piston 170 preferably has a liquid outlet 180 that may be usedboth to penetrate the pressure rupturable diaphragm 150 and the base ofthe impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120 and thereby deliver thebeverage concentrate 175 into the mixing nozzle structure 195 (not shownin FIG. 5).

The beverage dispensing cartridge 110, the upper piston 160, the lowerpiston 170 and the pressure rupturable diaphragm 150 may be made fromany suitable materials such as, but not limited to a metal foil such as,but not limited to, nickel/manganese/silicone alloys, aluminum andaluminum alloys, brass, copper and copper alloys, nickel/chromiumalloys, nickel/iron alloys, nickel, phosphor bronze, stainless steels,titanium, vanadium and zirconium, or some combination thereof, or aplastic such as, but not limited to, HDPE, TPE, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impactpolystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or water-proofed paperboard,such as, but not limited to, paperboard coated with polyethylene, orsome combination thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a singleserve disposable beverage cartridge of the present invention after use.

In FIG. 6, the beverage dispensing cartridge 110 is shown with the upperpiston 160 moved into contact with the lower piston 170 which itself isshown at the bottom of the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120. Thepressure rupturable diaphragm 150 and the base of the impermeable,cylindrical cartridge 120 are shown as having been ruptured by theliquid outlet 180 of the lower piston 170, so that all the beverageconcentrate 175 that had been contained between the upper piston 160 andthe lower piston 170 has been dispensed through the liquid outlet 180.

FIG. 7A shows a front cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of asingle serve disposable beverage pouch of the present invention prior touse. The beverage dispensing pouch may replace the beverage dispensingcartridge in FIG. 2. The beverage dispensing pouch 20 serves similarroles as the cartridge in that these containers are used to dispense the“central” ingredients of the beverage. In some cases, the pouch or thecartridge may be used to dispense beverage concentrates that wouldtypically be selected by the user.

Shown in FIG. 7A is a pouch void 22 enclosed in an impermeable seal 25substantially impermeable to liquids at room temperature. Also shown inFIG. 7A is that the pouch void 22 has an open lower end 24 which issealed by a pouch fitment 30. The pouch fitment 30 has positioning fins32 that help to anchor the pouch fitment 30 to the impermeable seal 25.The detailed structures of the pouch fitment 30 are shown in FIG. 7C.

FIG. 7B shows a partial side view and partial side cross section view,of a preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouch ofthe present invention prior to use. For clarity, FIG. 7B shows the pouchfitment 30 in a sectional view while demonstrating the side view of theimpermeable seal 25. The impermeable seal 25 encloses the pouch void 22,as shown in FIG. 7A, and forms a wide margin around the pouch void 22,as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

It should be noted that the shape of the beverage dispensing pouch 20and its pouch void 22 shown here is only supposed to be illustrative.The beverage dispensing pouch 20 and the pouch void 22 may be any shapethat is necessary and desirable. While FIGS. 7A and 7B show the beveragedispensing pouch 20 with a flat side view, it does not necessarily haveto be like that. The beverage dispensing pouch 20 may also have a roundshape or any other shape that allows easy manufacturing andimplementation.

The pouch void 22 here refers to the space enclosed within theimpermeable seal 25, which is impermeable to liquids at roomtemperature. The impermeable seal 25 may be formed by heating or sonicwelding the proper materials so that an empty space is created.Preferably, the impermeable seal 25 is made of thin, flexible, andimpermeable materials that are non-toxic to humans. The impermeable seal25 may be made from rubber, leather, fabric with waterproof coating,metal foil or plastic such as, but not limited to, polyethylene (PE),vinyl polymer, polystyrene (PS), and polypropene, or paper coated with asuitable waterproof coating such as, but not limited to, polyethylene,or some combination thereof. The impermeable seal 25 may be one layer ofmaterial or a multi-layer structure. For a multi-layer impermeable seal25, each layer may be made from the same or different materialsindicated as above.

The pouch fitment 30 is preferably permanently attached to theimpermeable seal 25 and fluidly connected to the pouch void 22. However,it may also be desirable to have a pouch fitment 30 that is removableand may be asserted to a pouch void 22 having a receiving slot. In thepreferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the pouch fitment 30 haspositioning fins 32 to help to anchor the pouch fitment 30 to theimpermeable seal 25. The positioning fins 32 are integrally welded,glued, molded or co-molded with the impermeable seal 25. The design maybe altered here as long as the pouch void 22 is hermetically sealed bythe impermeable seal 25 and the pouch fitment 30.

FIG. 7C shows a cross-section exploded view of a first preferred pouchfitment 30 prior to use. The detailed structure of the pouch fitment 30included in FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrated here. Shown in 7C is thepouch fitment 30 having a fitment body 31 having an upper opening 36, alower opening 37, an interior 33, and positioning fins 32, a pressurerupturable diaphragm 45, and a sealing member 35. The upper opening 36of the fitment body 31 is sealed by the first pressure rupturablediaphragm 45 and the lower opening 37 of the fitment body 31 is sealedby the sealing member 35.

FIG. 7D shows a side cross section view of the first preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use. All the structures shown in FIG. 7Care included in FIG. 7D. The arrow in FIG. 7D indicates the transitionfrom a sealed unused pouch fitment 30 to an open used pouch fitment 30.While in the left panel of FIG. 7D the sealing member 35 is securelylodged on the lower opening 37 and the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45is intact, in the right panel of FIG. 7D the sealing member 35 isremoved and the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 is ruptured. Thesealing member 35 may be made from all kinds of materials, including butnot limited to plastic, foil, and metals.

In the process of making a beverage, a user may remove the sealingmember 35 prior to use. Then pressure is applied to the pouch void 22and the pressure is partially transmitted to the pouch fitment 30, withthe pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 being the focus. When the pressureincreases, the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 ruptures and liquid mayflow through the upper opening 36, the interior 33, and the loweropening 37 of the pouch fitment 30 to be dispensed. Alternatively, auser may apply pressure to rupture the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45and then remove the sealing member 35 to allow liquid to flow out of thepouch void 22.

In FIGS. 7C and 7D, the sealing member 35 is a screw cap. There arescrew threads 38 on the exterior of the fitment body 31, allowing thesealing member 35 to be screw on the fitment body 31 to the seal thelower opening 37. Alternatively, the screw threads 38 may be on theinterior wall 34 and the sealing member 35 may have a protruding partthat having corresponding screw threads. Then the sealing member 35 maybe screwed not to “cover,” but to “plug” the fitment body 31. As clearlydemonstrated by FIGS. 7E-7H, the sealing member 35 may take differentformats, while goals to have an easy-to-seal and easy-to-remove sealingmember 35 and to form a hermetic seal remain consistent.

The fitment body 31 of the pouch fitment 30 is preferably asingle-molded plastic piece. It may be made from plastic such as but notlimited to HDPE, TPE, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene(PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) andpolycarbonate (PC). It may also be made from other materials such as ametal, wood, rigid plastic or rubber or some combination thereof.

The fitment body 31 of the pouch fitment 30 is preferably a cylindricalshape in general, with the horizontal cross-section being a circle or anoval. However, it should be noted that the fitment body 31 may take anyshape and the horizontal cross-section may be a square, a rectangle, atriangle, or any other shape that allows easy manufacturing andhandling.

The pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 may be made from many kinds ofmaterials, such as but not limited to: foil, paper or fabric withwaterproof coatings, thin layers of plastic, and synthetic or naturalmembranes, or any combination thereof. The key is that the pressurerupturable diaphragm 45 should have a consistent and measurableresistance to fluid pressure. When a certain threshold is passed, thepressure rupturable diaphragm 45 should be ruptured to allow the throughflow of fluids.

The pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 may be welded, glued, molded, orco-molded with the fitment body 31. Preferably, the pressure rupturablediaphragm 45 is sonic-welded with the fitment body 31. The key is tohave the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 securely attached to thefitment body 31 and hermetically sealing the upper opening 36. As longas this goal may be attained, the specific method to attach the pressurerupturable diaphragm 45 to the fitment body 31 may vary.

The sealing member 35 may be made of the same or different material asthe fitment body 31. In general, the sealing member 35 may be made fromfoil, metal, paper and fabric with waterproof coatings, wood, rubber,plastic such as but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET),HDPE, TPE, polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene(LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene(HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or some combination thereof. The choiceof material of the sealing member 35 will depend on the ease ofmanufacturing and the specific design of the sealing member 35.

FIG. 7E shows a cross-section exploded view of a second preferred pouchfitment prior to use. FIG. 7F shows a side cross section view of asecond preferred pouch fitment both prior to and after use. Thecomponents shown FIGS. 7E and 7F are the same as FIGS. 7C and 7D, exceptthat the sealing member 35 takes a different form and there are no screwthreads 38 on the fitment body 31.

In FIGS. 7E and 7F, the sealing member 35 is a detachable cap that maybe used to seal the lower opening 37 of the fitment body 31. The sealingmember 35 is attached to the fitment body 31 by a circle of weakenedconnections 41. The weakened connections 41 may be produced by makingthe connecting layer of plastic between the cap sealing member 35 andthe fitment body 31 particularly thin. Prior to use, a user may breakthe cap from the fitment body 31 and apply pressure to the pouch void 22to cause the first pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 to rupture, thusallowing liquid in the pouch void 22 to flow from the pouch fitment 30.

FIG. 7G shows a cross-section exploded view of a third preferred pouchfitment prior to use. FIG. 7H shows a side cross section view of thethird preferred pouch fitment both prior to and after use. Thecomponents shown FIGS. 7G and 7H are the same as FIGS. 7C and 7D, exceptthat the sealing member 35 takes a different form and there are no screwthreads 38 on the fitment body 31.

In FIGS. 7G and 7H, the sealing member 35 is a cover that has apeel-away tab 39. Preferably the sealing member 35 is a foil cover. Thesealing member 35 may be glued or welded to the fitment body 31. The keyhere is to allow the sealing member 35 to be removed peeling thepeel-away tab 39. Therefore, as long as this goal can be achieved, thesealing member 35 may be attached to the fitment body 31 with anysuitable method. Prior to use, a user may peel away the sealing member35 from the fitment body 31 and apply pressure to the pouch void 22 tocause the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 to rupture, thus allowingliquid in the pouch void 22 to flow from the pouch fitment 30.

FIG. 8A shows a front cross-section view of another preferred embodimentof a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a fourth preferredpouch fitment prior to use. Shown in FIG. 8A is a pouch void 22 enclosedin an impermeable seal 25 substantially impermeable to liquids at roomtemperature. Also shown in FIG. 8A is that the pouch void 22 has a lowerend 24 which is sealed by a pouch fitment 30. The pouch fitment 30 haspositioning fins 32 that may be used to anchor the pouch fitment 30 tothe pouch void 22. The detailed structures of the pouch fitment 30 areshown in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 8B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a fourth preferred pouch fitment prior to use. For clarity, FIG.8B shows the pouch fitment 30 in a side sectional view while itdemonstrates the side view of the impermeable seal 25. The impermeableseal 25 encloses the pouch void 22, as shown in FIG. 8A, and forms awide margin around the pouch void 22, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8C shows a side exploded cross-sectional view of the fourthpreferred pouch fitment prior to use. Shown in 8C is the pouch fitment30 having a fitment body 31 having an upper opening 36, a lower opening37, an interior 33, and positioning fins 32, a pressure rupturablediaphragm 45, and a sealing member 35. The upper opening 36 of thefitment body 31 is sealed by the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 andthe lower opening 37 of the fitment body 31 is sealed by the sealingmember 35. Here the sealing member 35 takes the form of a cover having apeel-away tab 39, as shown in FIGS. 7G and 7H. The difference of FIG. 8is that the pouch fitment 30 further comprises a outflow valve 50, whichalso covers the lower opening 37 and stays above the sealing member 35.From this side view, the outflow valve 50 is shown to flex upward withits center portion protruding closer to the interior 33 of the pouchfitment 30.

FIG. 8D shows a top view of the outflow valve 50. Here the outflow valve50 is shown as round and this is a preferred shape. However, it shouldbe noted that the outflow valve 50 must fit the horizontal-sectionalshape of the pouch fitment 30, especially at the lower opening 37.Therefore, from a top view, the outflow valve 50 may be round or square,or any other shape that fits the pouch fitment 30. Also shown FIG. 8D isa “+” shaped outlet 49 at the center of the outflow valve 50. The “+”shaped outlet 49 allows liquid in the pouch void 22 to flow through. The“+” shape is preferred here. However, it is still possible to make theoutlet other shapes such as a “T” shape, a “

” shape, or any other shape that may be used to control liquid flow.

The outflow valve 50 is preferably made of silicon-based polymericmaterials known as silicones. The key features of the outflow valve areimpermeability to water, low friction, and flexibility. Therefore, whenother materials, such as carbon-based plastics, meet the requirements,they may also be used to make the valve 50.

FIG. 8E shows the pouch fitment 30 prior to use; FIG. 8F shows the pouchfitment 30 during use; and FIG. 8G shows the pouch fitment 30 after use.The arrows between FIGS. 8E, 8F, and 8G indicate the transitions from asealed pouch fitment 30, to a pouch fitment 30 allowing flow through,and finally to a pouch fitment 30 having an outflow valve 50 thatprevents dripping.

Prior to use, a user may peel away the sealing member 35 from thefitment body 31 by pulling the peel-away tab 39 and apply pressure tothe pouch void 22 to cause the pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 torupture, thus allowing liquid in the pouch void 22 to flow from thepouch fitment 30 to reach the outflow valve 50. When pressure from theliquid is applied to the outflow valve 50 from the top, it flexesdownward with the center portion of the outflow valve 50 protruding to adirection away from the interior 33 of the pouch fitment 30, as shown inFIG. 8F. The continued pressure from the liquid further opens the “+”shaped outlet 49, allowing the liquid to flow through the outlet.

As shown in FIG. 8G, when the pressure is removed or significantlyreduced, the outflow valve 50 flexes back to its original position, withthe center portion of the outflow valve 50 protruding to the interior 33of the pouch fitment 30. The “+” shaped outlet 49 is closed, preventingthe remaining liquid in the pouch void 22 from dripping out.

FIG. 9A shows a front cross-section view of another preferred embodimentof a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a fifth preferredpouch fitment prior to use. This pouch fitment 30 is fundamentallydifferent from what is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 since the pouchfitment 30 further comprises a plunger 40. Shown in FIG. 9A is a pouchvoid 22 enclosed in an impermeable seal 25 substantially impermeable toliquids at room temperature. Also shown in FIG. 9A is that the pouchvoid 22 has a lower end 24 which is sealed by a pouch fitment 30. Thepouch fitment 30 has positioning fins 32 that may be used to anchor thepouch fitment 30 to the pouch void 22. Shown also in FIG. 9A is aplunger 40, which is considered part of the pouch fitment 30. Thedetailed structures of the pouch fitment 30 and the plunger 40 are shownin FIG. 9C.

FIG. 9B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a fifth preferred pouch fitment prior to use. For clarity, FIG. 9Bshows the pouch fitment 30 comprising a plunger 40 in a sectional viewwhile it demonstrates the side view of the impermeable seal 25. Theimpermeable seal 25 encloses the pouch void 22, as shown in FIG. 9A, andforms a wide margin around the pouch void 22, as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B.

FIG. 9C shows a side cross-sectional exploded view of the fifthpreferred pouch fitment prior to use, demonstrating the individualcomponents. Shown in FIG. 9C is a the pouch fitment 30 having a pouchvoid 22 having a upper opening 36, an interior 33, an interior wall 34,positioning fins 32, and a lower opening 37. Also shown in FIG. 9C isthat the pouch fitment 30 further comprises a plunger 40 having a topaperture 42, a liquid outlet 43, and plunger pistons 43. The pouchfitment 30 further comprises a second pressure rupturable diaphragm 48that seals the top aperture 42 of the plunger 40. The plunger 40 residesin the interior of the pouch fitment 30 and the plunger pistons 43 formslidable seal with the interior wall 34 of the pouch fitment 30. Here,for clarity purposes, the interior wall 34 of the pouch fitment 30 andthe plunger pistons 43 are not completely in contact. However, it shouldbe noted that the interior wall 34 and the plunger pistons 43 abut eachother and form a slidable but fluid-tight seal. Moreover, the pouchfitment 30 further comprises a sealing member 35 that seals the loweropening 37 of the fitment body 31.

FIG. 9D shows a side cross section view of the fifth preferred pouchfitment both prior to and after use. The arrow in FIG. 9D indicates thetransition from an unused sealed pouch fitment 30 to an open used pouchfitment 30. While in the left panel of FIG. 9D the sealing member 35securely seals the lower opening 37, and the plunger 40 completelyresides in the interior 33 of the fitment body 31, in the right panel ofFIG. 9D the sealing member 35 is pierced by the liquid outlet 43 of theplunger 40, the liquid outlet 43 protrudes of the interior 33 of thefitment body 31, and the second pressure rupturable diaphragm 48 isruptured.

Here the sealing member 35 is preferably a foil or paper that may bepierced. However, the sealing member 35 may also be any material thatwas referred to during the discussion of FIG. 7. The addition of theplunger 40 removes the necessity for a user to remove the sealing member35. With the plunger 40, the sealing member 35 may simply be compromisedby the penetration of the liquid outlet 43 of the plunger 40. Such adesign reduces the chance that the liquid exit portion of the device maybe touched by human hand or otherwise contaminated, thus raising thehygienic standard of the beverage dispensing device.

To use the beverage dispensing pouch 20, a user may apply pressure tothe pouch void 22 and the pressure will be partially transmitted to thepouch fitment 30. Since the plunger pistons 43 of the plunger 40 form aslidable but fluid-tight seal with the interior wall 34 of the fitmentbody 31, the pressure pushes the plunger 40 to move downward so that theliquid outlet 43 of the plunger 40 may pierce the sealing member 35 andthe liquid outlet 43 is exposed. When the plunger 40 reaches itslower-most position, the increase of pressure may rupture the secondpressure rupturable diaphragm 48, allowing the liquid in the pouch void22 to flow through the interior 33 of the fitment body 31 and out of theliquid outlet 43 of the plunger 40. The “prior” and “after” states ofthe pouch fitment 30 are illustrated in FIG. 9D

It is preferred that the threshold pressure for making the plunger 40slide downward should be lower than the threshold pressure to rupturethe second pressure rupturable diaphragm 48. The design allows theplunger 40 to pierce the sealing member 35 before the second pressurerupturable diaphragm 48 is ruptured and the fluid in the pouch void 22flows out of the liquid outlet 43. If the sequence is reversed andsecond pressure rupturable diaphragm 48 ruptures first, then the fluidfrom the pouch void 22 will be pushed through the plunger before theplunger pierces the sealing member 35. The likely outcome is that thesealing member 35 will be ruptured and the fluid flows through theplunger 40 while the liquid outlet 43 does not protrude out of thefitment body 31. Although this scenario is not preferred, it does notfundamentally affect the ability of the beverage dispensing pouch 20 todispense the liquid in the pouch void 22.

FIG. 10A shows a front cross-section view of yet another preferredembodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouch using a sixthpreferred pouch fitment prior to use. Shown in FIG. 10A is a pouch void22 enclosed in an impermeable seal 25 substantially impermeable toliquids at room temperature. Also shown in FIG. 10A is that the pouchvoid 22 has an open lower end 24 which is sealed by a pouch fitment 30.The pouch fitment 30 has positioning fins 32 that may be used to anchorthe pouch fitment 30 to the pouch void 22. Shown also in FIG. 10A is aplunger 40, which is considered part of the pouch fitment 30. Thedetailed structures of the pouch fitment 30 and the plunger 40 are shownin FIG. 10C.

FIG. 10B shows a partial side view and partial cross section view, ofanother preferred embodiment of a single serve disposable beverage pouchusing a sixth preferred pouch fitment prior to use. For clarity, FIG.10B shows the pouch fitment 30 comprising a plunger 40 in a sectionalview while it demonstrates the side view of the impermeable seal 25. Theimpermeable seal 25 encloses the pouch void 22, as shown in FIG. 10A,and forms a wide margin around the pouch void 22, as shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B.

FIG. 10C shows a side exploded cross-section view of the sixth preferredpouch fitment prior to use, demonstrating the individual components ofthe pouch fitment 30. FIG. 10D shows a side cross section view of thesixth preferred pouch fitment both prior to and after use.

As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, the pouch fitment 30 has an interior 33,interior wall 34, upper opening 36, and lower opening 37. The loweropening 37 is sealed by a sealing member 35. The upper opening 36encircles a snap-in ring 54, which is sealed by the first pressurerupturable diaphragm 45. Positioned in the interior 33 of the pouchfitment 30 is a plunger 40, which has a top aperture 42, a plungerpiston 44, and a liquid outlet 43. The plunger piston 44 forms aslidable but fluid-tight seal with the interior wall 34 of the pouchfitment 30. The top aperture 42 of the plunger 40 is positioned belowthe snap-in ring 54 and the second pressure rupturable diaphragm 48 andis sealed by a first pressure rupturable diaphragm 45. Here, for claritypurposes, the interior wall 34 of the pouch fitment 30 and the plungerpistons 43 are not completely in contact. However, it should be notedthat the interior wall 34 and the plunger pistons 43 abut each other andform a slidable but fluid-tight seal.

The key difference between the sixth preferred embodiment of the pouchfitment 30, which is shown in FIG. 10, and the further preferredembodiment, which is shown in FIG. 9, is the addition structure ofsnap-in ring 54 and the first pressure rupturable diaphragm 45. Thesnap-in ring 54 and first pressure rupturable diaphragm 45, incombination, seal the upper opening 36 of the fitment body 31. Thisdesign separates the plunger 40 from the liquid kept in the pouch void22, thus decreasing the chances of contamination even further.

Similar to the discussion for FIG. 9, it is preferred that the plunger40 is pushed to pierce the sealing member 35 before the second pressurerupturable diaphragm 48 ruptures. Such a design ensures that the liquidoutlet 43 of the plunger 40 protrudes out of the interior 33 of thefitment body 31 before liquid is dispensed. However, this feature is notindispensible.

The snap-in ring 54 may be made of the same of different materials asthe fitment body 31. In general, it may be made from foil, metal, paperand fabric with waterproof coatings, wood, rubber, plastic such as butnot limited to HDPE, TPE, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene(PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) andpolycarbonate (PC), or some combination thereof. The snap-in ring 54 maybe welded, glued, molded, or co-molded to the fitment body 31.Preferably, the snap-in ring 54 is sonic welded to the fitment body 31.

The first pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 may be attached to thesnap-in ring 54 in similar ways that the second pressure rupturablediaphragm 48 is attached to the plunger.

FIGS. 11 A-C show, in a side view, the process of how the beveragedispensing pouch 20 is pressed by rollers and the liquid is releasedfrom the beverage dispensing pouch. Here, the sixth preferred embodimentof the pouch fitment 30 shown in FIG. 10 is used as an example todemonstrate how pressure may be applied to the pouch void 22 and howliquid may be dispensed. However, it should be noted that any of thepouch fitments 30 may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, when pressure is applied to thepouch void 22, since the pouch fitment 30 is fluidly connected to thepouch void 22, pressure is also applied to the pouch fitment 30, andspecifically, to the top of the pouch fitment 30 where there is a upperopening 36 that encircles a snap-in ring 54, which is sealed by thefirst pressure rupturable diaphragm 45. When the pressure increases, thefirst pressure rupturable diaphragm 45 ruptures and the plunger 40becomes fluidly connected to the pouch void 22. The pressure is thendirectly applied to the top of the plunger 40, which is sealed by thesecond pressure rupturable diaphragm 48. Since the plunger has plungerpistons 43, as shown in FIG. 10, that slidably abut the interior wall 34of the pouch fitment 30 and form a fluid-tight seal, the entire plungeris driven away from the pouch void 22. The liquid outlet 43 of theplunger 40 then pierces the sealing member 35, which is sealing thelower opening 37 of the pouch fitment 30. When the plunger 40 moves tothe lowest possible position, the pressure builds up on the secondpressure rupturable diaphragm 48, eventually rupturing it, allowing thebeverage concentrate 175 that was kept in the pouch void 22 to flow outfrom the liquid outlet 43.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C show that rollers 55 are pressed against theimpermeable seal 25 and the two rollers stay very close to each other.When the rollers 55 roll downward, they apply pressure on the pouch void22 and that pressure is at least partially transmitted to all the partsthat are fluidly connected to the pouch void 22.

It should be noted that the mechanism to apply pressure shown in FIG. 11is not the only way to achieve the goal. As long as a continuouspressure may be applied to the pouch void 22, any mechanism may beemployed. For example, an alternative design puts two inflatable bags onthe front and back of the pouch void 22. With the inflation of the bags,pressure is applied to the pouch void 22 and the sequence of eventsleading to the outflow of liquid may be triggers by continuous inflationof the bags. In another method of applying pressure, the pouch may besqueezed by a press plate. The press plate can have two or more plateswhich push against the front and back of the pouch. Each press platescould be one single piece or several pieces, and the pieces or platescould be hinged together. A combination of rollers and plates could alsobe used, for example, a single roller which presses a pouch along itslength, while the pouch is supported on the other side by a plate.Alternatively, the pressure could be applied pulling the pouch throughstationary rollers.

FIG. 12 A-C show another preferred embodiment of the beverage dispensingpouch 20 wherein the pouch is sealed with a pressure rupturable seal anda tear-off pouch tip. While FIGS. 12A and 12B are front sectional views,FIG. 12C is a side view.

Shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the pouch void 22 is sealed with animpermeable seal 25 having a hanger hole 27. Instead of a pouch fitment30, here the lower end 24 of the pouch void 22 is sealed with a pressurerupturable seal 28 and a pouch tip 29.

The pressure rupturable seal 28, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, ispreferably asserted into the lower end 24 and partly into the pouch voidto ensure effective seal. However, the pressure rupturable seal 28 maystay completely outside the pouch void 22 and still prevent the liquidfrom flowing out of the pouch void 22.

The pressure rupturable seal 28 may be made of any material that isnon-toxic to human. It may comprise a strip made of plastic or othermaterials and be glued or heat-bonded to the impermeable seal 25 with apressure-sensitive adhesive. Or, the pressure rupturable seal 28 mayjust be made of pressure-sensitive material as a whole. The key featurehere is that the pressure rupturable seal 28 may be ruptured and removedwith the increase of pressure applied from the inside of the pouch.

The pouch tip 29 is an optional structure. While it is preferable tohave the pouch tip 29, which further seals the lower end 24 of the pouchvoid 22 and present the lower end 24 to be contaminated, it is possibleto only use the pressure rupturable seal 28 to seal the lower end 24.The pouch tip 29 may be made of any material that can be used to makethe impermeable seal 25 or the pouch fitment 30. The pouch tip 29 may beglued, riveted, welded, heat-bonded to the impermeable seal 25 orfastened to the impermeable seal 25 using any means that allow aforceful removal. Shown here in FIG. 12A, between the pouch tip 29 andthe impermeable seal 25 is a tear notch 26 that facilitates the removalof the pouch tip 29.

In actual use, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the pouch tip 29 isremoved by tearing it away at the tear notch 26. Then pressure isapplied to the pouch void 22. Here pressure is indicated by the arrowsin FIG. 12C. The pressure may be applied using the methods discussed inthe description for FIG. 11, or any methods that achieve the sameresult. The pressure rupturable seal 28 is then ruptured under thepressure and the beverage concentrate 175 in the pouch void 22 isreleased into the mixing nozzle 195 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a mixingnozzle structure and a single serve disposable beverage cartridge of thepresent invention. Here a beverage dispensing cartridge is shown as anexample. However, it should be clear that a beverage dispensing pouch 20as shown in FIGS. 7-11 may also be used for dispensing beverageconcentrates.

The beverage dispensing cartridge 110 or the beverage dispensing pouch20 may be located above the mixing nozzle structure 195 so that beverageconcentrate 175 dispensed from the beverage dispensing cartridge 110 orthe beverage dispensing pouch 20 may enter the mixing chamber along witha suitable mixing fluid that may be supplied via the mixing liquid inlet320.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of amixing nozzle structure of the present invention during use.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 shows how the beverage concentrate175 may be dispensed through the beverage concentrate inlet 330 of themixing nozzle structure 195, resulting in a flow that may be asubstantially vertically downward jet of dispensed concentrate 360.

The view of FIG. 14 also shows how a mixing fluid may be introduced tothe mixing nozzle structure 195 via the mixing liquid inlet 320. Thismixing fluid may enter the upper vortex chamber 340 where it may beconstrained into a cylindrical vortex before exiting into the lowermixing chamber 350. As it exits the lower mixing chamber 350, thedownward jet of dispensed concentrate 360 may combine with the downwardspiraling vortex of mixing liquid 370 in such a way the two combine at amixing zone 810 that may be external to the mixing nozzle structure 195.In this way the mixing of the diluting liquid with the beverageconcentrate may occur without the concentrate contacting the walls ofthe lower mixing chamber 350 of the mixing nozzle structure 195. Thistype of mixing in the air is sometimes referred to as “post-mixing”.

The mixing nozzle structure 195 may, for instance, be designed inaccordance with the inventive principals detailed in U.S. Pat. No.4,708,266, issued on Nov. 24, 1987 to Ruddick, the contents of which arehereby fully incorporated by reference.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a first preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

Elements of the beverage dispensing device 100 include a liquidreservoir 410, a liquid refrigeration unit 220, a chilled liquidcontainer 480, an insulated carbonation dispensing tank 610, a beveragedispensing cartridge 110 and a beverage container 205. Again, it shouldbe noted that beverage dispensing pouch 20 may be used instead of thebeverage dispensing cartridge 110.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid reservoir 410 may, for instance,be a 1 gallon refillable water tank, having a liquid level sensor 430and a liquid filter 420. Water from the liquid reservoir 410 may bemoved to the chilled liquid container 480 by a suitable liquid pump 245.The transfer may be done via a check valve 530 and a solenoid activatedflow valve 540.

The chilled liquid container 480 may, for instance, be a stainless steeltank having a insulation jacket 470. The chilled liquid container 480may be cooled by a liquid refrigeration unit 220 that circulates achilled refrigerant liquid or gas through refrigeration coils 490 thatmay surround the chilled liquid container 480. The liquid refrigerationunit 220 may include a refrigeration compressor 440 that compresses therefrigerant from a gas to a liquid, generating heat. The refrigerant maythen pass through a refrigeration evaporator 450 that allows the liquidto evaporate and cool. The cold gas or liquid may then be circulatedthrough the refrigeration coils 490 via a refrigerated liquidaccumulator 460.

The refrigerant may be any suitable chemical compound such as, but notlimited to, carbon tetrachloride, trichlorofluoromethane,bromodifluoromethane, trifluoromethane, dichloromethane,chlorofluoromethane, difluoromethane, chloromethane, fluoromethane,methane, hexachloroethane, pentachlorofluoroethane, hexafluoroethane,trifluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, trifluoroethane, difluoroethane,chloroethane, ethane, octafluoropropane, heptafluoropropane,hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropane, propane, octafluorocyclobutane,decafluorobutane, tetradecafluorohexane, isobutane, pentane, isopentane,diethyl ether, methyl formate, methylamine, ethylamine, hydrogen,helium, ammonia, or some combination thereof.

The carbonation system 600 may include an insulating carbonationdispensing tank 610 into which refrigerated water may be pumped via acheck valve 530. The liquid in the insulating carbonation dispensingtank 610 may be carbonated by CO2 provided from a CO2 cylinder 270. Thecarbonated water in the insulating carbonation dispensing tank 610 maybe kept under pressure by an air pump 620 that may be regulated by avent valve 630. When the user elects to dispense a beverage, thecarbonated water may be supplied under the pressure in the carbonationtank via a check valve 530 to the mixing nozzle structure 195 to mixwith the concentrate from the beverage dispensing cartridge 110 or thebeverage dispensing pouch 20.

From the cold liquid container 480, the cold liquid may be pumped to thebeverage container 205 by a circulation pump 570, or the cold liquid maybe dispensed by means of the pressure in the container. The circulationpump 570 may, when beverages are not being dispensed, circulate wateraround a loop back to the cold liquid container 480 via the solenoidactivated flow valve 540 and the check valve 530. This may, forinstance, be done to keep the plumbing and other components of thebeverage dispensing device 100 at a sufficiently low temperature toensure that the mixing fluid is dispensed at an optimal temperature.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic layout of the components of a second preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention. The schematic design shown in FIG. 16 is substantiallysimilar to the design shown in FIG. 15, except that the liquidrefrigeration unit 220 now consists of a Peltier device 240 that may bemounted on the wall of the chilled liquid container 480 that may be aplastic container. The temperature may be monitored by a suitabletemperature sensor 580, such as, but not limited to, a thermocoupledevice.

The design of FIG. 16 also differs from that of FIG. 15 in that thecarbonation unit may now be an inline carbonation device.

A Peltier device 240 produces thermoelectric cooling using the Peltiereffect in which a current flow across the junction of two differenttypes of materials causes a transfer of heat across the junction. Themain advantages of a Peltier cooler compared to a vapor-compressionrefrigerator are its lack of moving parts or circulating liquid, and itssmall size and flexible shape or form factor. Its main disadvantages arethat it is relatively expensive and inefficient. Peltier devices 240 aregenerally 5-10% as efficient as the ideal refrigerator, as determined bythe Carnot cycle, compared with 40-60% achieved by conventionalcompression cycle systems. Due to the low efficiency, thermoelectriccooling is most useful in environments where the benefits of having arefrigerator with no moving parts, that is maintenance-free and of acompact size outweigh pure efficiency.

Using the user interface 560 a user may instruct the beverage dispensingdevice 100 via the internal electronics controller 550 to direct themixing liquid either directly to the mixing nozzle structure 195 or tosend it via the carbonation device 280, or to send a portion of theliquid via both of these paths. In this way, the user may select howcarbonated the beverage concentrate 175 in the beverage dispensingcartridge 110 or the beverage dispensing pouch 20 will be when dispensedinto the beverage container 205.

The carbonation device 280 may, for instance, be an inline Venturicarbonator activated using a refillable CO2 cylinder 270 and controlledby a CO₂ gas regulator 510.

The carbonation system 600 may, for instance, allow the user to selectone of three options. The first may be complete carbonation of themixing fluid, in which essentially all the mixing fluid flow through thecarbonation device 280. The second may be no carbonation, in whichessentially all the mixing fluid flows through the bypass assembly 590.The third may be partial carbonation in which a possibly variable amountof the mixing fluid flows through the carbonation device 280, while thereminder of the mixing fluid flows through the bypass assembly 590.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic layout of the components of a third preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

The schematic design of FIG. 17 is substantially similar to that of FIG.16 except that the carbonation of the liquid may now be done using thecarbonation system 600, as described in connection with FIG. 15. Thecarbonation system 600 may, for instance, include an insulatingcarbonation dispensing tank 610 into which refrigerated water may bepumped via a check valve 530. The liquid in the insulating carbonationdispensing tank 610 may be carbonated by CO₂ provided from a CO₂cylinder 270. The carbonated water in the insulating carbonationdispensing tank 610 may be kept under pressure by an air pump 620 thatmay be regulated by a vent valve 630. When the user selects to dispensea beverage, the carbonated water may be supplied by a check valve 530 tothe mixing nozzle structure 195 to mix with the concentrate from thebeverage dispensing cartridge 110 or the beverage dispensing pouch 20.

In the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 17, there may also be abeverage concentrate cooler 640. The beverage concentrate cooler 640may, for instance, be a Peltier device whose functioning is described ingreater detail above.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a fourthpreferred embodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of thepresent invention.

The schematic design shown in FIG. 18 is substantially similar to thedesign described in connection with FIG. 17, except that the liquidrefrigeration unit 220 may now be a pass through device with a liquidreservoir 485. The liquid refrigeration unit 220 may now include one ormore Peltier devices 240, placed alongside water blocks 730. The waterblock 730 may, for instance, be flattened portions of pipe that allowthe water being re-circulated to the cold liquid reservoir 485 to becooled by the Peltier devices 240. The water block 730 may, forinstance, include baffles to slow the passage of the water in thoseregions so as to more effectively cool the water.

The Peltier devices 240 may be cooled by a combination of a heat sink720 and a heat dispensing fan 710.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic lay out of the components of a fifth preferredembodiment of the single serve beverage dispenser of the presentinvention.

The schematic design shown in FIG. 19 is substantially similar to thedesign described in connection with FIG. 17, except that the liquidrefrigeration unit 220 may now be a vapor compression refrigeration unitsimilar to that described above in, for instance, the description ofFIG. 15. The carbonation system 600 may, however, be a carbonationdevice 280 such as, but not limited to, an inline Venturi device similarto that described above in, for instance, the description of FIG. 18.

To use the beverage dispensing device 100, a user may first ensure theliquid reservoir 410 is sufficiently full with water. The user may thenplace a beverage dispensing cartridge 110 or a beverage dispensing pouch20 in the beverage dispensing device 100. In various alternateembodiments, a user may then use the user interface 560 to select adesired quantity to be dispensed into the beverage container 205. Theuser may also use the user interface and controller 560 to select otherattributes of the drink to be dispensed such as, but not limited to, thetemperature the drink is to be dispensed at and the degree, if any, ofcarbonation of the drink.

The user may then use the user interface 560 to initiate dispensing ofthe drink. This may, for instance, activate the internal electronicscontroller 550 to initiate a sequence of events such as, but not limitedto, water being transferred from the liquid reservoir 410 by the liquidpump 245 to the chilled liquid container 480, and when the temperaturesensor 580 registers the appropriate temperature, transferring chilledliquid to carbonation/dispensing tank 610, where the water may or maynot be carbonated, and then transferring liquid to the mixing nozzlestructure 195 by means of circulation pump 570, or by the pressurewithin the carbonation tank.

This transfer may be timed with an activation of the beverage dispensingcartridge 110 or the beverage dispensing pouch 20, i.e., with a manualor automatic action in which the upper piston 160 of the beveragedispensing cartridge 110 may be driven towards the lower piston 170, orin which rollers 55 are pressing against the impermeable seal 25 of thebeverage dispensing pouch 20 to apply pressure to the pouch void 22. Indoing so, for the beverage dispensing cartridge 110, the liquid outlet180 of the lower piston 170 may penetrate the pressure rupturablediaphragm 150 and the base of the impermeable, cylindrical cartridge 120and release the beverage concentrate 175 into the mixing nozzlestructure 195. For the beverage dispensing pouch 20, the sealing member35 is removed or pierced by the liquid outlet 43, first and/or secondpressure rupturable diaphragm 45/48 are ruptured, and the beverageconcentrate 175 may be released from the pouch void 22 into the mixingnozzle 195. This release of the beverage concentrate 175 into the mixingnozzle structure 195 may be timed to coincide with chilled, possiblycarbonated, liquid entering the mixing nozzle structure 195 and mixingwith the beverage concentrate 175 so that a suitably chilled and mixedbeverage is dispensed into the beverage container 205. As detailedabove, the mixing nozzle structure 195 may be designed so that themixing of water and concentrate occurs at a mixing zone 810 that isbeneath and outside the mixing nozzle structure 195. This is oftencalled “post mixing” and has the advantage of the concentrate notcontacting the surface of the mixing nozzle structure 195, avoidingresidue and possible flavor contamination from serving to serving, andprovides a well mixed drink, formed from accurately predetermined mixratios resulting in predictable Brix values for the dispensed beverage.

In addition to applications indicated above, the beverage dispensingtechnology disclosed here may also be used to a refrigerator or a watercooler. In addition, the beverage dispensing device may replace therefrigeration unit with a container, such as a removable pitcher, thatmay be put into a refrigerator to chill the liquid in the container anduse the cold liquid for making the beverage.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the singleserve beverage dispenser. Shown in FIG. 20 is the beverage dispenser 800having a main unit 801 and a pitcher 802. The main unit 801 includes amain unit housing 803, a dripping pad 805 suitable for placement ofbeverage containers such as a cup 806, and a dispenser head compartment810 with a dispensing nozzle 804. The main unit 801 and the pitcher 802are connected by engaging a flipping inlet unit 873 from the main unit801 with an outlet channel in a bottom concave 860 of the pitch 802.

FIG. 21A shows a perspective view of the dispensing head compartment810, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Shown in FIG. 21A is the dispensing headcompartment 810 having a head compartment side housing 811, a headcompartment drawer 812, and a head compartment cover 816, and thedispensing nozzle 804. As shown in FIG. 21A, the head compartment drawer812 is closed, shielding the interior of the head compartment 810.

FIG. 21B shows a perspective view of the dispensing head compartment810, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Shown in FIG. 21B is the dispensing headcompartment 810 having a head compartment side housing 811, a headcompartment drawer 812, a head compartment cover 816, and the dispensingnozzle 804. As shown in FIG. 21B, the head compartment drawer 812 isopen, exposing the internal structures of the head compartment 810.Inside the head compartment 810, there is a pouch groove 830accommodating a beverage dispensing pouch 880.

FIG. 21C shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment 810 when the head compartment drawer isopened. For clarity purposes, the head compartment cover 816, a frontpart of the head compartment side housing 811, and the head compartmentdrawer 812, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, are not in FIG. 21C. Shown inFIG. 21C is the pouch groove 830 including a pouch groove cassette 832,a front rack 835, and a back rack 837. The lower part of the front rack835 connects to the groove cassette 832 with a front rack hinge 836.Similarly, the lower part of the back rack 837 connects to the groovecassette 832 with a back rack hinge 838. As a whole, the pouch groove830 embraces the beverage dispensing pouch 880 having a pouch seal body882 and pouch seal side strips 883. The pouch seal side strips 883 areembraced by the groove cassette 832. The upper parts of the front rack835 and back rack 837 are conformed to generally fit the outer contoursof the pouch seal body 883, while the lower parts of the front rack 835and back rack 837 arch away from the beverage dispensing pouch 880. Thecombination of the front rack 835, back rack 837, and the groovecassette 832 ensures that the dispensing pouch 880 is securely disposedin the pouch groove 830. In addition, though not shown in FIG. 21C, thelower end of the dispensing pouch 880 is sealed by a pouch fitment thatengages the dispensing nozzle 804, further securing the dispensing pouch880 in place. Also shown in FIG. 21C is a set of vertical gear tracks846, rollers 850, and roller gear wheels 855. The specific structuresand functions of these components are shown in details in FIGS. 24A and24B.

FIG. 21D shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment 810 when the head compartment drawer isclosed but before the rollers 850 engage the dispensing pouch 880.Essentially the same components are shown in FIG. 21D as FIG. 21C. Here,the head compartment drawer (not shown in FIG. 21C) is closed as in FIG.21A. As in FIG. 21C, the shielding components are removed to illustratethe internal structures. In FIG. 21D, the pouch groove 830 andaccordingly the dispensing pouch 880 are positioned right beneath therollers 850.

FIGS. 21A-21D demonstrate how the beverage dispensing pouch 880 may beadded to the dispenser. A user of the dispenser may pull the headcompartment drawer 812 open, exposing the pouch groove 830, which isempty before the insertion. The user may then put the dispensing pouch880 into the pouch groove 830, push the pouch all the way down, and besure that the pouch groove cassette 832, the front rack 835, and theback rack 837 secure the pouch in place. In the next step, the userpushes the head compartment drawer 812 back so that the head compartment810 closes and the components are as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21D. Itshould also be noted that the pouch-loading process may be either manualor automated. In an automated model, the user may electronically controlthe opening and closing of the head compartment 810 by pushing buttonsor adjusting switches.

FIG. 22A shows a perspective view of a dispensing pouch 880 and a pouchfitment 890. Shown in FIG. 22A is a pouch seal 881 having a pouch sealbody 882 and a pouch seal side strips 883. On the top strip of the pouchseal side strips 883 there is a hanger hole 884. The pouch seal 881encloses pouch void (not shown in FIG. 22A), which has an open lower endthat is sealed by a pouch fitment 890.

FIG. 22B shows a front view of a dispensing pouch 880 and a frontsectional view of a pouch fitment 890. Shown in FIG. 22B is a pouch seal881 having a pouch seal body 882 and a pouch seal side strips 883. Onthe top strip of the pouch seal side strips 883 there is a hanger hole884. The pouch seal 881 encloses pouch void (not shown in FIG. 22B),which has an open lower end that is sealed by a pouch fitment 890. Thepouch fitment 890 has position fins that help to attach the pouchfitment 890 to the beverage dispensing pouch 880.

Generally, FIGS. 22A and 22B show similar structures as illustrated inFIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, though the specific design of thepouch seal and pouch fitment may be different. As indicated in thediscussions for beverage dispensing pouch in general, the beveragedispensing pouch 880 is used to store syrup/concentrate for thedispensing device. The syrup/concentrate may be mixed and/or dilutedwith other liquid in the dispensing process. Also as indicated above,the pouch fitment 890 is used to seal the pouch and, when necessary,control the flow of the content of the pouch. The specific design of thepouch fitment 890 is discussed in FIG. 23.

Having individual pouches allow the user to choose and change whatbeverage the dispenser makes with ease. Pouches housing differentconcentrates may be distinguished by shape, color, label, surfacetexture, bar code, and/or any combination thereof. Other aspects of thedispenser may be adjusted according to the contents of the pouch.Factors such as the multitude of dilution, the temperature of the finalbeverage, whether to carbonate, may all be set or programmed by theseller and/or the user of the dispenser. The individual parameters maybe set individually. Or a series of parameters may be programmed for aspecific beverage. The user may rely on his/her eyes to choose the rightpouch and right program. Or the dispenser may sense the type of pouch,for example, by reading a bar code on the pouch, to automaticallytrigger a beverage-making program.

FIG. 23A shows a perspective view of the pouch fitment 890. Shown inFIG. 23A is the pouch fitment 890 having a fitment body 892 with a pairof positioning fins 885, a horizontal flange 893 and a fitment nozzle894. The fitment body 892 encircles a fitment interior channel (notshown in FIG. 23A) having a top opening that is sealed by a pressurerupturable diaphragm 891. The pressure rupturable diaphragm 891comprises a surrounding ring 915 and a rupturable membrane 916 attachedto the middle of the surrounding ring 915.

FIG. 23B shows a front sectional view of the pouch fitment 890. Shown inFIG. 23B is the pouch fitment 890 having a fitment body 892 with a pairof positioning fins 885, a horizontal flange 893 and a fitment nozzle894. The fitment body 892 encircles a fitment interior channel 895. Thetop opening of the fitment interior channel 895 is sealed by a pressurerupturable diaphragm 891. The pressure rupturable diaphragm 891comprises a surrounding ring 915 and a rupturable membrane 916 attachedto the middle of the surrounding ring 915. As a whole the surroundingring 915 and the rupturable membrane 915 covers the top opening of thefitment interior channel 895. The surrounding ring 915 is preferablymade from hard plastic; the rupturable membrane 915 is preferably madefrom thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or foil, though both elements may bemade from different materials. The rupturing of the pressure rupturablediaphragm 891 refers to the rupturing of the rupturable membrane. Alsoshown in FIG. 23B is outflow valve 896 covering the bottom opening ofthe fitment interior channel 895.

FIG. 23C shows a top view of the pouch fitment 890. Shown in FIG. 23C isthe pouch fitment 890 having a fitment body 892 with a pair ofpositioning fins 885 and a horizontal flange 893. The fitment body 892encircles a fitment interior channel (not shown in FIG. 23C) having atop opining that is sealed by a pressure rupturable diaphragm 891.

FIG. 23D shows a bottom view of a pouch fitment 890. Shown in FIG. 23Dis the pouch fitment 890 having a fitment body 892 with a horizontalflange 893 and a fitment nozzle 894. There is an outflow valve 896disposed at the bottom opening of the fitment interior channel 895 (notshown in FIG. 23D).

FIG. 23E show a top perspective view of the outflow valve 896. Shown inFIG. 23E are the “+” shaped outlet 897 and the triangular leave 898. Theoutflow valve 896 is the same structure as the outflow valve in FIGS.8C-8G and the descriptions to FIGS. 8C-8G also apply here. Preferably,the outflow valve 896 has an arcuate portion that arches upward towardthe direction of the pouch, as shown in FIG. 23B. The arcuate portion ofthe outflow valve 896 membrane may be provided with intersecting slitsto define a plurality of generally triangular leaves 898. When contentsof the pouch are pressurized for dispensing, the triangular leaves bendto allow the liquid to pass through the fitment's lower orifice. Whenthe dispensing pressure is released, the triangular leaves 898 springback to their original position and operate to block passage of liquidthrough the fitment orifice. The leaves of the valve are sufficientlyresilient that they do not bend open unless the applied pressure exceedsthe hydraulic static pressure generated by a full pouch, thereforeprevent dripping.

FIGS. 23A-23E illustrate an embodiment of the pouch fitment 890. Theembodiment here is generally similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS.8C-8G, without the sealing member 35. Therefore, the descriptionsprovided for FIGS. 8C-8G should be considered included by the currentembodiment, as long as the descriptions do not conflict with thespecific structures shown here.

FIGS. 24A and 24B show how the contents of the beverage dispensing pouch880 are dispensed by the rollers 850. The roller system is similar towhat is shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, with more details to the structures ofthe various components and controlling mechanisms. Preferably, therollers 850 include a pair of rollers aligned horizontally opposite toeach other and held close to each other. When the roller system movesdown, the rollers squeeze the beverage dispensing pouch 880 so that oneroller presses against the front side and the other against the backside of the beverage dispensing pouch 880.

FIG. 24A shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment 810 when the rollers 850 squeeze thebeverage dispensing pouch 880. For clarity purposes, the headcompartment cover 816, the head compartment side housing 811, and thehead compartment drawer 812, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, are not inFIG. 24A. Shown in FIG. 24A is the pouch groove 830 including a pouchgroove cassette 832, a front rack 835, and a back rack 837. The lowerpart of the front rack 835 connects to the groove cassette 832 with afront rack hinge 836. Similarly, the lower part of the back rack 837connects to the groove cassette 832 with a back rack hinge 838 (notshown in FIG. 24A). As a whole, the pouch groove 830 embraces thebeverage dispensing pouch 880 having a pouch seal body 882 and pouchseal side strips 883. The pouch seal side strips 883 are embraced by thegroove cassette 832. Also shown in FIG. 24A are rollers 850, a set ofvertical gear tracks 846, and roller gear wheels 855 that are co-axiallyconnected to the roller 850 and engage the vertical gear tracks 847.Here in FIG. 24A, the rollers 850 are moving down to press against thebeverage dispensing pouch 880 through the engaged rotation of therollers gear wheels 855 along the vertical gear tracks 846. In the meantime, the upper parts of the front rack 835 and back rack 837 aretilting away from the beverage dispensing pouch 880, making way for therollers 850 and the roller gear wheels 855.

FIG. 24B shows a perspective view of the internal structures of thedispensing head compartment 810 when the rollers 850 finish apouch-pressing process. Shown in FIG. 24B are essentially the sameelements as FIG. 24A. For clarity purposes, not all components aremarked. Here in FIG. 24B, the rollers 850 have moved all the way downand have finished pressing against the beverage dispensing pouch 880. Inthe mean time, the upper parts of the front rack 835 and back rack 837are back in their original positions to embrace the beverage dispensingpouch 880, while the lower parts of the front rack 835 and back rack 837arch away from the beverage dispensing pouch 880, making room toaccommodate the rollers 850. The rollers 850 may then move back up totheir original positions, ready for the next dispensing process.

Referring to FIGS. 21A-D, FIGS. 22A-B, FIGS. 23A-D, and FIGS. 24A-B, theprocess of dispensing the contents of the beverage dispensing pouch 880may be described as the following: As shown in FIGS. 21B-D, afterinserting the beverage dispensing pouch 880 into the pouch groove 830,the user may push back the head compartment drawer 810, positioning thebeverage dispensing pouch 880 beneath the rollers 850. Here, preferablythrough an automated process (such as pushing a “pour” button), a usermay cause the roller gear wheels 855 to rotatably move down the verticalgear tracks 846, making the rollers 850 to move down as well and pressagain the front and back sides of the beverage dispensing pouch 880. Thepressing motion is similar to what is shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, though thespecific design of the pouch fitment may be different. Referring toFIGS. 22A-B and FIGS. 23A-D, the pressing of the roller 850 causes thepressure on the pressure rupturable diaphragm 891 to increase. Above acertain threshold, the pressure rupturable diaphragm 891 ruptures andthe contents of the beverage dispensing pouch 880 flows into the fitmentinterior channel 895. The outflow valve 896 is the same structure as theoutflow valve 50 shown in FIGS. 8C-8G. The outflow valve 896 flexes downand allows the contents of the beverage dispensing pouch 880 to flowthrough its “+” shaped outlet. The outflow valve 896 serves at least twogoals: (1) it directs the liquid flowing out of the beverage dispensingpouch 880 in a straight precise stream, and (2) it prevents drippingafter the dispensing process is completed. Through the outflow valve,under certain pressure, the contents of the beverage dispensing pouch880 then reaches the dispenser nozzle 804, where such contents, mostlikely syrup/concentrates are mixed with other liquid.

FIG. 25A shows a perspective view of a pitcher 802 that can be connectedto a main unit 801 of a beverage dispenser 800, as illustrated in FIG.20. Shown in FIG. 25A is the pitcher 802 having an upper compartment863, a lower compartment 864, a pitcher cover 861, a pitcher filter 862,a pitcher handle 869, and a bottom concave 860 located at the bottom ofthe lower compartment 864. In the bottom concave 860 there is an outletchannel 865.

The general design of the pitcher 802 may vary. The key feature is thatthe pitcher 802 may be fluidly and removably connected to the main unit801 so that the liquid in the pitcher may be conveniently provided tothe main unit 801. The pitcher 802, with the liquid inside, may berefrigerated so that the liquid may become chilled or maintained at alow temperature. Alternatively, the pitcher 802 may receive hot liquidand be kept in an insulated environment to maintain the high temperaturefor the liquid. No matter cold or hot, when the pitcher 802 is connectedto the main unit 801, the liquid in the pitcher may be extracted andused for making the beverage dispensed from the main unit 801. Theremovable picture concept eliminates the need for the beverage dispenserto have its own refrigeration and/or heating system.

FIG. 25B shows a perspective view of a flipping inlet unit 870 as partof the main unit 801 of a beverage dispenser 800 when the flipping inletunit 870 is flipped down, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Shown in FIG. 25Bis the flipping inlet unit 870 comprising a flipping base 871, an inlettube 872, and an inlet nozzle 873. The flipping inlet unit 870 may beflipped down to an open position from the side walls of the main unit801, as illustrated in FIG. 25B.

FIG. 25C shows a perspective view of a flipping inlet unit 870 as partof the main unit 801 of a beverage dispenser 800 when the flipping inletunit 870 is flipped up. Shown in FIG. 25B is the flipping inlet unit 870having a flipping base 871. The flipping inlet unit 870 may be flippedup to a closed position into the side walls of the main unit 801, asillustrated in FIG. 25C.

FIG. 25D shows a side sectional view of the outlet channel 865 and theflipping inlet unit 870 before the outlet channel and the inlet unit areengaged. Shown in FIG. 25D is the pitcher 802 having a lower compartment864, a bottom concave 860, and an outlet channel 865. Also shown in FIG.25D is the flipping inlet unit 870 having a flipping base 871, an inlettube 872, and an inlet nozzle 873. More particularly, residing in theoutlet channel 865 is a spring valve 866. An O-ring 867 is attached tothe spring valve 866 and disposed on the top of the outlet channel 865.There is an adapter 874 residing in the middle of the inlet nozzle 873.The adapter 874 is a rod structure pointing upward. Before engagement,the O-ring 867 seals the outlet channel 865 because the spring valve 866pulls the O-ring 867 down to be held flush against the top surroundingwalls of the outlet channel 865.

FIG. 25E shows a side sectional view of the outlet channel 865 and theflipping inlet unit 870 after the outlet channel and the inlet unit areengaged. Essentially the same elements are shown in FIG. 25E as FIG.25D. For clarity purposes, not all elements are marked in FIG. 25E. Asshown in FIG. 25E, after the outlet channel 865 and inlet nozzle 873 areengaged, the adapter 874 is inserted into the outlet channel 865,pushing the spring valve 866 upward, thereby also pushing the O-ring 867up so that the O-ring 867 is no longer held flush against the topsurround walls of the outlet channel 865. The liquid in the lowercompartment 864 of the pitcher 802 may then flow through the outletchannel 865 into the inlet nozzle 873, resulting in a fluid connectionbetween the pitcher 802 and the main unit 801 (not shown in FIG. 25E).

According to FIGS. 25A-E, liquid such as water may be poured into theupper compartment 863 and filtered by pitcher filter 862. The pitcher802 may be put into a refrigerator to chill the liquid. Then a user mayflip down the flipping inlet unit 870 and position the bottom concave860 on the flipping inlet unit 870, making sure that the outlet channel865 engages the inlet nozzle 873, establishing a fluid connectionbetween the pitcher 802 and the main unit 801. The indentation of thebottom concave 860, the position and length of the outlet channel 865,and the height of the inlet nozzle 873 are designed so that when theoutlet channel 865 operatively engages the inlet nozzle 873, the pitcher802 is properly evenly positioned on the surface where the main unit 801is placed. Moreover, with a proper connection between the pitcher 802and the main unit 801, the two components are positioned side by side ona shared flat surface.

FIG. 26 shows a back view of the internal structures of the main unit801 of the beverage dispenser 800. Shown in FIG. 26 are the main unit801 having a head compartment 810, and the pitcher 802 having a bottomconcave 860 and an outlet channel 865. Here the outlet channel 865 andthe inlet nozzle 873 are engaged so that liquid in the pitcher may flowthrow the inlet tube 872 into main unit 801. The dispensing housing 803,as illustrated in FIG. 20, is not shown in FIG. 26, exposing theinternal components, the details of which are described in FIGS. 27A and27B.

FIG. 27A shows a first perspective view of the internal structures ofthe main unit 801 of the beverage dispenser. Shown in FIG. 27A are thehead compartment 810, the inlet tube 872, a first solenoid 901, a secondsolenoid 902, a third solenoid 903, an air pump 904, a CO2 cylinder 905,a liquid pump 906, a CO2 supply line 907, a carbonation/dispensing tank908, a main manifold supply line 909, a CO2 valve release lever 920, anda dripping pad 805.

FIG. 27B shows a second perspective view of the internal structures ofthe main unit 801 of the beverage dispenser. Shown in FIG. 27B are thehead compartment 810, the flipping inlet unit 870, the inlet tube 872,an air pump 904, a liquid pump 906, a CO₂ supply line 907, acarbonation/dispensing tank 908, a main manifold supply line 909, a CO₂valve release lever 920, a CO₂ valve body 921, a pressure relief valve922, a valve plunger 923, and a dripping pad 805.

FIG. 27C shows a schematic diagram of the internal structures and theirconnections in the main unit 801 of the beverage dispenser. Shown inFIG. 27C are the pitcher 802 connected with a inlet tube 872 theinternal structures, including a first solenoid 901, a second solenoid902, a third solenoid 903, an air pump 904, a CO2 cylinder 905, a liquidpump 906, a CO2 supply line 907, a carbonation/dispensing tank 908, amain manifold supply line 909, a pressure relief valve 922, a checkvalve 924, and a vent valve 925. Also shown in FIG. 27C is the beveragedispensing pouch 880, the dispensing nozzle 804, and the cup 806.

Referring to FIGS. 27A-C and also considering FIGS. 20-26, it is clearthat the components of the main unit 801 are inter-connected. Thebeverage to be dispensed by the dispenser nozzle 804 is a mixture ofconcentrates from the beverage dispensing pouch 880 and liquid, e.g.water, from the pitcher 801. Some of the internal elements in FIGS. 27Aand 27B are included to ensure that the liquid coming from the pitcher802 may be carbonated so that the eventual beverage may be carbonated.

In a dispensing process, the contents of the beverage dispensing pouch880 are identified by distinguishing factors such as a bar code on thepouch so that it may be determined what type of drink is to be produced.The first solenoid 901, which is connected to the vent valve 925,activates to allow the carbonation/dispensing tank 908 to attainatmospheric pressure. The water pump 906 then pumps the water out of theremovable pitcher 802 and into the carbonation/dispensing tank 908.After the water is pumped into the tank 908, first solenoid 901deactivates the vent valve to seal the tank 908 from atmosphericpressure.

If the beverage is carbonated, such as soda, the following processapplies: the second solenoid 902, which is connected to the CO₂ valverelease lever 920, activates and pushes the CO₂ valve release lever 920to depress the valve plunger 923 on the CO₂ valve body 921 attached tothe CO₂ cylinder 905, which in turn allows the CO₂ to go through the CO₂supply line 907 into the carbonation/dispensing tank 908. Thiscarbonation cycle happens 2 to 4 times until the pressure relief valveregisters that full carbonation is attained. This whole carbonationprocess takes less than 15 seconds, preferably less than 4 seconds. Ifthe beverage is non-carbonated, then no carbonation cycle is triggered.

When the water in the carbonation/dispensing tank 908 is ready, the airpump 904 turns on and applies constant air pressure to thecarbonation/dispensing tank 908. Then, the third solenoid 903 opens toallow the carbonated or non-carbonated water in thecarbonation/dispensing tank 908 to flow out the main manifold supplyline 909 and into the dispensing nozzle 804. At the same time in thedispensing head 810, the rollers 850 are compressing the beveragedispensing pouch 880 so that the contents of the beverage dispensingpouch 880 are dispensed, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B. The contents ofthe beverage dispensing pouch 880 flows into the dispensing nozzle 804.In this process, the carbonated or non-carbonated water andsyrup/concentrate from the beverage dispensing pouch 880 flow at thesame time through the dispensing nozzle 804 and post-mix in the air asthey flow into the users glass. The air pump 904 continues to pump airfor a few seconds after dispensing is complete in order to flush out theresidues from any left over water. Once the drink is dispensed the usercan dispose of the used beverage dispensing pouch 880 and remove thewater pitcher 802 and place it back in the refrigerator to continue tochill the water for the next use. The user can fill the pitcher 802 asneeded with fresh water. The user may also use ice to chill the water inthe pitcher 802. Overall, not including a refrigerating unit in thedispenser may save significant cost.

FIG. 28A shows a prospective view of the beverage dispenser 800 with theCO2 cylinder replacement mechanism when the CO₂ cylinder gate 927 isclosed. Shown in FIG. 28A are the pitcher 802 and the main unit 801,wherein on a side wall of the main unit 801 there is a CO₂ cylinder gate927 that is closed.

FIG. 28B shows a prospective view of the beverage dispenser 800 with theCO2 cylinder replacement mechanism when the CO₂ cylinder gate 927 isopen. Shown in FIG. 28A are the pitcher 802 and the main unit 801,wherein on a side wall of the main unit 801 there is a CO₂ cylinder gate927 that is open by flipping down. The CO₂ cylinder 905 is rotated froma vertical position as shown in FIG. 27A to a horizontal position,allowing the user to change the CO₂ cylinder 905 with ease. The CO₂cylinder 905 is attached to frame with a hinge, allowing the CO₂cylinder 905 to pivot and protrude out of the CO₂ cylinder gate 927 whenthe gate is open. The opening of the gate and the pivoting of the CO₂cylinder may be controlled manually or automatically.

The beverage dispensing device may also include a telemetry control anddata retrieval system. For example, a WiFi card or a similartransmitting device may be implanted into the circuits of the beveragedispensing device, allowing it to communicate with the internal IC boardand connect to the user's home WiFi network and the Internet.

The user may register his/her machine and MAC Address with a designatedwebsite and create a user profile. This connectivity may allow thebeverage dispensing device to communicate with the supplier's back endservers to track the user's personal consumption and allow an automatedre-order system to know when to send out the user's next order ofconsumables. It may also help to identify what flavors of beverage areselling best and allow the manufacturing facility to streamline what ismanufactured to avoid excessive warehousing of inventory. The suppliermay also be able to target users with special offerings based on thisdata.

It is also within the realm of this disclosure to include a specificprogram, or application, for smart phones such as the iPhone®, and/orother hand-held computing devices such as iPad®, to allow the users tosee their consumptions and be notified when they are running low onconsumables such as beverage pouches, filter cartridges and CO₂ gascylinders.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage dispensing device comprising: a liquidcontainer; a liquid refrigeration unit, fluidly connected to said liquidcontainer; a pouch holder fluidly connected to said liquid refrigerationunit; and a beverage dispensing pouch comprising: an impermeable bodysubstantially impermeable to liquids at room temperature and containingbeverage concentrate, the impermeable body having a lower end with apouch tip attached thereto, and a pressure rupturable seal that sealsthe lower end, wherein when pressure is applied to the body, thepressure rupturable seal is ruptured, allowing the concentrate to flowthrough the lower end, wherein the pouch tip is configured to be removedbefore pressure is applied to a pouch void to rupture the pressurerupturable seal, allowing liquid in the pouch void to flow through thelower end; a mixing nozzle structure, fluidly connected to said liquidcontainer; a pre-measured quantity of a beverage concentrate disposed ina substantially hermetically sealed state in the pouch void; and aconcentrate dispensing mechanism, operative to apply pressure to thebeverage dispensing pouch to discharged the beverage concentrate intothe mixing nozzle structure.
 2. The dispensing device of claim 1,wherein said mixing nozzle structure has walls and is sized and shapedsuch that said beverage concentrate does not contact the walls of saidmixing nozzle structure when fluid from said liquid container is mixedwith said concentrate.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein saidpouch holder further comprises a Peltier device.
 4. The dispensingdevice of claim 2, further comprising a Venturi inline carbonatorfluidly connected to said liquid refrigeration unit and to said pouchholder.
 5. The dispensing device of claim 2, further comprising aninsulated carbonation tank fluidly connected to said pouch holder and toa CO₂ cylinder.
 6. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein said liquidrefrigeration unit is a compression type refrigerator or a Peltier typerefrigerator.
 7. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein said mixingnozzle structure further comprises a refrigeration element.
 8. Abeverage dispensing device, comprising: a main unit comprising: a headcompartment capable of accommodating a beverage pouch, wherein thebeverage cartridge comprises an impermeable body substantiallyimpermeable to liquids at room temperature and containing beverageconcentrate, the body having a lower end, and a pressure rupturable sealthat seals the lower end, wherein when pressure is applied to the body,the pressure rupturable seal is ruptured, allowing the concentrate toflow through the lower end; a main unit housing, a dispenser nozzle, anda inlet unit connected to the dispenser nozzle with an inlet tube; and apitcher comprising: a bottom having a bottom concave, and an outletchannel residing the bottom concave; wherein the inlet unit removablyand fluidly engages the outlet channel, connecting the pitcher to themain unit, wherein the inlet unit comprises: a unit base capable ofbeing flipped up into the main unit housing and flipped down out of themain unit housing, an inlet nozzle residing on the unit base, whereinthe inlet nozzle is capable of removably and fluidly engaging the outletchannel.
 9. The beverage dispensing device of claim 8, wherein thepitcher further comprises: a spring valve disposed in the outletchannel, and an O-ring attached to the spring valve and positioned abovethe outlet channel, wherein the spring valve and the O-ring are capableof sealing the outlet channel.
 10. The beverage dispensing device ofclaim 9, wherein the inlet nozzle engages the outlet channel to preventthe spring valve and the O-ring from sealing the outlet channel.
 11. Thebeverage dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the pitcher is capable ofbeing detached from the main unit and being chilled in a refrigerator.12. The beverage dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the headcompartment further comprises: a CO₂ valve body; a CO₂ cylinderconnected to the CO₂ valve body; a carbonation/dispensing tank connectedto the CO₂ valve body through a CO₂ supply line; a first solenoidoperatively connected to the CO₂ valve body, the first solenoid controlsCO₂ flowing from the CO₂ cylinder through the CO₂ valve body to thecarbonation/dispensing tank; a water pump fluidly connected to the inlettube, the water pump being capable of pumping liquid from the pitcher tothe carbonation/dispensing tank.
 13. The beverage dispensing device ofclaim 12, wherein the head compartment further comprises: an air pumpconnected to the carbonation/dispensing tank and operatively controlsair pressure in the carbonation/dispensing tank.